Circuit controller



Sept; 15, 1936. H. E. NORVIEL ET AL C IRCUIT' CONTROLLER Filed NOV. 2, 1929 a m EM 5 N H 5; Mp g E H m a 4 V E 7. m 5 g. r v, Z a w/y a 58% 7 7 4 m r! M 7 o w w 6 .6 m6 p w w m p l/ /M r M M 0mm 8 M2 2 W .5 M 7 7 m m a w W Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- CIRCUIT CONTROLLER poration of Delaware Application November 2, 1929, Serial No. 404,427

Claims.

This invention relates to theft preventive devices for automotive vehicles, and particularly to'lock switches which, when unlocked, operate to render the ignition apparatus operative, and

5 which, when locked, disconnect the current source from the ignition apparatus and ground a portion of the same.

It has been the practice heretofore to mount a lock switch upon the instrument board and to connect the switch with the ignition timer by a wire encased in an armor which is secured to the switch housing and timer housing in a manner such as to make it difficult electrically to disconnect the timer from the switch.

In the on position of said switch, the timer is connected with the ignition coil; and in the off position of said switch, the coil is disconnected from the timer, and the timer is grounded.

It is an object of this invention to improve theft-preventive devices of this type in such manner as to make it still more diflicult to tamper with the electrical connections in order to render the ignition operative. In the disclosed form of the present invention, the switch provides two binding posts to which both ends of the ignition primary coil are connected and connections within the switch housing whereby, when the switch is in o-if position, the coil as well as the timer is grounded.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a face view of a key controlled device substantially as indicated by the arrow of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device as illustrated by the line and arrows 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of the device as connected to an element essential to the operation of an automotive vehicle, in the illustrated instance a timer, the connection thereof being shown in longitudinal section.

Figs. 2 and 3 taken together, diagrammatically illustrate the connection of the improved device with an element essential to the operation of the automotive vehicle and illustrates the operation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switch device as indicated by the line and arrow 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are cross sectional views through the switch device'substantially as indicated by the lines and arrows 55, 6-5 and respectively of Fig. 2.

With particular reference to the drawing, 20 5 indicates an element essential to the operation of a motor vehicle, and in the present is illustrated as a timer comprising a cup 2| in which is secured a mounting plate 22 by screw devices 23 threaded into ears 24 of said plate. Of course 10 it is understood that the essential element may be any of the other elements necessary to the operation of a motor vehicle as the coil, distributor or even magneto, if such is to be used. Upon said plate 22 there is provided a pivot post 26 15 7 about which is pivoted a contact bracket 21 supporting a fixed contact 28 and adjustable thereupon by means of screw and eccentric devices 29 and 30 respectively. The post 26 insulatingly supports and pivots a circuit breaker lever 3| 20 carrying a contact 32 for cooperation with the fixed contact 28, and providing a rubbing block 33 for cooperation with a cam 34 mounted upon a timer shaft 35. 'I'he breaker lever 3| is in electrical communication with a contact stud 36 by means of a spring 31, and is secured thereto by means of a clamping nut 38, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The stud 36 is insulatingly supported in the cup 2| and protrudes exteriorly thereof to provide a coupling member 39. The stud 39 sup- 30 n ports an armored receiving cup 4|] and is electrically connected with a lead 4| of a condenser 42, a second terminal of which is grounded to the timer cup 2| by clip 43 secured thereto.

Having nondemountable coupling engagement 35":

with the stud 39, there is providedan armored coupling member consisting of a theft resisting sleeve 46 enclosing a nonconducting sleeve 41 housing a terminal 48 of an insulated electrical conductor 49, as illustrated in Fig. 3. the end of the sleeve 46 and securing the sleeve 41 therewithin, there is provided a spanner nut 50 disposed against a thrust washer 5| and a pair of spring locking washers 52, which provide locking engagement behind a head 53 of the coupling 45 5 member 39. The head53 has electrical connection with the conductor 49 by means of the spring .54. This coupling member is such that the armored coupling member may be presented to the timerheretofore described, and forced upon the'coupling member 39 whereby a locking engagement will be obtained between the locking disc 52 and the said coupling member 39, and electrical connection will be made between the stud 36 and the conductor 49.

Closing 40W The armor for the conductor 49 in the present instance comprises a spirally wound tubular member enclosing an interlocking spirally wound member 55 disposed about the insulation of a conductor 49. The member 45 is secured to a conduit supporting coupling 56 which has a non-demountable connection with a switch casing as will presently appear. a

The controller to which the foregoing apparatus is connected and by which it is operated, comprises a tubular casing 66 bifurcated at 6| and 62 to provide receiving engagement for a pair of nonconducting terminal blocks 63 and 64 as illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6. Each of the terminal blocks 63 and 64 is substantially cylindrical in formation with a pair of diametrically opposite extensions 65 and 66, 61 and 68 respectively for reception within the bifurcations of the case 66 as will appear by reference to the drawing, and provide bosses for the circuit terminal members 69, I6, II and 12 respectively. Each of the circuit terminal members are essentially the same and comprise a tubular like headed rivet as illustrated in Fig. 5, which may be threaded to receive a terminal screw I3 to 'aid in securing terminals thereto. The terminal members are each passed through bores I4 of the extensions of the blocks 65, 66, 61 and 68 so that the heads 15 of said members are disposed in the shank portions of leaf spring conductors within the blocks 63 and 64, and so that the tubular portions of said members extend without said blocks where they are secured by turning over the tubular portions against washers I6 as illustrated at 11. In this, each of the terminal blocks and the circuit terminal members of the device are essentially the same, but each terminal block is somewhat different in structure within, as will presently appear, though each of said blocks rigidly supports a pair of leaf 7 spring conductor members deflected toward the center of said block and normally engaging each other. The block 63 supports a pair of spring conductors 86 and ill with their shank portions secured beneath the head portion I5 of the circuit terminals 69 and I6 respectively, and may be known as ignition circuit conductors. The block 64 similarly supports a pair of spring leaf conductors 82 and 83 under the head I5 of its circuit terminals II and I2 respectively, but here the conductors are each provided with extensions 84 and 85 respectively, for a purpose which will presently appear.

The terminal blocks thus assembled are placed within the casing 66 as illustrated in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, so that the extensions 65 and 61 will be disposed in the bifurcation 62 and the extensions 66 and 68 will be disposed within the bifurcation 6|. as illustrated, and so that the terminal block 64 is near the open end of the case 66. The block 63 is first placed within the bifurcations of the case 66 and the block 64 is secured to the conductor 49 by soldering the extensions 85 thereto. The extension 85 is bent inwardly as illustrated in Fig. 7 and the block 64 is then placed in the bifurcation so as to present the extensions 84 and 85 adjacent the open end of the casing. With the extension 84 bent upwardly against the surface of the block 64 as illustrated at 66, and the extension 85 bent inwardly and electrically connected to the conductor 49 as by soldering at 81, the coupling 56 may then be positioned within the open end of the casing 66 where it is secured by means of deformations of the casing 66 being struck into an annular groove 88 of the coupling as illustrated at 89. A sleeve member embracing the coupling 56 is then passed over the bifurcated end of the case 60 and pressed against the block 64 where it is secured by staking or spot welding it to the ends of the casing 66. The armor conductor is thus far operably associated and non-demountably connected with the casing 66 and the contact elements therewithin, and this substantially closes the outer end of the said casing.

The forward end of the casing 66 is closed by a key operated controller 96 of any preferred 7 form, but herein illustrated as a push-pull type and operably associated with means for controlling circuits through the leaf spring conductors. In main, the key operated device includes a lock barrel 9| operable by means of a key 92 to withdraw bolt 93 from an aperture 94 in the casing 66 so as to allow push-pull movement of the controller 96 as defined by the limits of a stop 95 in a slot 96 of the case 66. Against the inner end of the controller 96 is disposed a contact actuator assembly including a disc 91 providing brackets 98 secured 'to a nonconducting plate 99 carrying a movable contact I66, the actuator assembly being disposed between the flexed or free ends of the contact spring conductors 86, 8|, 82 and 83. The case 66 is provided with inwardly directed squirts I6I which form a seat for an annular shelf or ring I62 against which is disposed a return spring I63 that also engages the peripheral portion of the disc 91 disposed against the controller 96. This spring I63 is under sufiicient compression to exert a force against the ring I62 to project the controller 96 as soon as the bolt 93 is released from the aperture 94 in the case 66. In doing so, the spring I63 likewise moves the entire contact actuator assembly longitudinally between the pairs of spring conductors hereinbefore described. It will be noted that the contact actuator assembly and particularly the movable contact I66 is so located that, when the controller 96 is in locked position as shown in Fig. 2, the contacts 82 and 83 only will be connected; and when the controller 96 has been projected by the spring I63, the contacts 86 and BI only will be connected.

The casing 66 is provided with a protective sleeve I65 secured about the end of the case so as to cover the bolt hole 93 and the guide way 96, and that also provides a shoulder I66 which forms an abutment aiding in mounting the controller on the dash or other part of the vehicle. In mounting the unit it is customary to provide a. convenient aperture in a portion of the dash or instrument panel of sufficient size to receive the casing 66. The protruding end of the case 66 receives a shim I61 and is screw-threaded at I68 to receive a spanner nut I69, that also operates as an escutcheon plate for the lock device.

The switch thus assembled is usually connected into the ignition circuit by way of the ammeter which is connected to the terminal post 69, and by way of the ignition coil, one terminal of the primary of which is connected to the terminal post I6, while the other terminal of the primary is connected to the post I2. A registering instrument, if so desired, may also be connected to the terminal post I6. Other connections being properly made, including'the conductor 49- and extension 85 connecting the post I2 with the elements. of ignition timer 26, and the ignition timer 26 being in its respective position,

, as that of the registering instrument.

With these connections, movement of the controller 9D to the one position, namely that illustrated in Fig. 2 will operate to open ignition circuit and registering instrument circuit through the terminals 69 and Ill, and to establish ground connection for the timer 20 through the connected terminal posts II and I2, since the conductor elements 8% and BI will be separated by the nonconducting plate 99, and the elements 82 and 83 will be electrically connected through the contact I00. When the bolt 93 is withdrawn from the aperture 98 as by means of the proper key 92, the spring I03 will operate to project the controller 90 so as to withdraw the contact ele ment I08 from between the spring contacts 82 and 83 and cause it to engage the contacts and BI, whereby an electrical connection will be established between the posts 69 and I0, and the electrical communication between the posts II and I2 will be broken by reason of the end of the non-conducting plate 99 separating the leaf spring conductors 82 and 83. Under these conditions an electrical circuit will be established through the battery I 2e, ammeter I2I, terminal posts 39 and I0, thence dividing, one portion including the registering instrument I23, while the other portion includes the primary winding I2I of the ignition coil, the terminal posts I2, the extension of the leaf spring conductor 83, the conductor 49 by way of elements heretofore described, to the contact point 32 of the circuit breaker lever 3i within the ignition timer 29. Thus, the ignition circuit and registering circuits are completed.

Depression of the controller 90, that is, pressing it inwardly to assume a position illustrated in Fig. 2, will open the ignition circuit and also the registering instrument circuit, and will subsequently close the circuit between the terminal conductors II and I2. Under these conditions it will be observed that the insulated conductor 29, which normally supplies electrical energy to the timer 2B, is then in electrical contact with the terminal post II through the leaf spring conductors 82 and 83 and the movable contact I90. The terminal conductor II of course is grounded to the casing 60 and consequently the main structure of the vehicle, by the extension 84 that engages the coupling 56. Thence the ground connection is established with the frame of the vehicle through case 60 and the dash, or it may lead to the cup 2| through the armor 45 and other obvious connections. It will be observed that the ignition coil I22 as well as the timer 26 is grounded upon the frame since one terminal of the coil is connected at I2. Thus. when the ignition is turned off both the timer 28 and the coil are cut out of an active or live circuit in the vehicle, and both grounded to the frame of the vehicle making it doubly difficult for the unauthorized person to eliminate the theft protection afforded by this device.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a theft preventing device for automotive vehicles, a lock switch controller comprising in combination, a casing, a plurality of contact assemblies supported within the casing, a single movable contact element optionally engageable with all of the conductive elements of the contact assemblies, a lock plug for actuating the movable contact into one circuit closing position, a spring for resisting actuation of the lock plug and for returning the movable contact to a second circuit closing position, and means forming a spring seat within the casing comprising inwardly directed squirts of the casing, and a ring disposed against said squirts to receive one end of said spring.

2. In a theft-preventing device for automotive vehicles, a lock switch controller comprising in combination, a tubular casing, a plurality of contact assemblies supported within the casing at one end thereof, a lock plug axially movable along and located in the other end of said tubular casing, a movable contact assembly enclosed by the casing and providing a U-shaped contact element for bridging pairs of contacts provided by each of the contact assemblies, a spring within the casing forcing the movable contact assembly to follow the lock plug and means forming a spring seat for one end of the spring, said means including portions of the tubular casing intermediate the lock plug and contact assemblies struck inwardly to form abutments for one end of said spring.

3. In a theft preventing device for automotive vehicles, a lock switch controller comprising in combination, a tubular casing having a bifurcated end, a plurality of ring-like bodies within the casing and having extensions located in the case bifurcations, a contact supported within the casing at each of the ring extensions, a movable contact assembly comprising a single bridging contact, a lock plug and spring for actuating the movable contact into either of a plurality of posi tions in each of which the contacts of only one of the ring-like bodies are bridged, and means including a part of the tubular casing providing a seat for the said actuating spring.

4. In a circuit controller for an ignition device, the combination of, a tubular casing having one end bifurcated to provide parallel tongues, a controller mounted for limited movement in the other end of the casing, a spring urged contact assembly for actuation by the controller and having a contact for movement along the axis of the bifurcated end of the casing, a pair of ring like terminal supports in end to end relation within the bifurcated end having projections extending between the casing tongues, flexible contact blades secured to the supports at the projections and bent inwardly to engage said contact assembly, and means secured to the bifurcated end of the casing for pressing the rings together and toward the bottom of the bifurcation for closing off the bifurcated end of the casing, said contact assembly being movable between the contact blades, and adapted to bridge the contact blades of but one ring-like member at a time.

5. In a circuit controller for an ignition device, the combination of, a tubular casing having one end bifurcated to provide parallel tongues, a controller mounted for limited movement in the other end of the casing, a spring urged contact assembly for actuation by the controller and having a contact for movement along the axis of the bifurcated end of the casing, ring like terminal supports within the bifurcated end having projections extending between the casing tongues and disposed about the contact assembly, conductive elements carried by the projections and accessible from without the casing, said conductive elements engaging the tongues of the bifurcated case end having flexible portions within the casing enfor preventing circuit closure between any of the gageable with the movable contact assembly, two elements enclosed within the casing except by the opposite ones. of the. flexible portions being in spring urged controller.

closed circuit in one position of the controller, HARRY E. NORVIEL. 5 and two others of which are in closed circuit only LESLIE O. PARKER.

in another position of the controller, and means 

